Typography vs Calligraphy

[Member Lad…]

This topic was imported from the Typophile platform

In one of my college lessons, its states that typography refers to mechanically-reproduced letters while calligraphy refers to hand-rendered letters. I wondered if this is technically correct, despite the general use of the word "typography" to refer to the study and use of letterforms?

[Member Rya…]

It's correct. Typography is the arrangement of pre-made pieces, whereas calligraphy always involves creating something new that didn't exist before (even the pieces).

[Member Typ…]

calligraphy always involves creating something new that didn't exist before

Are you sure about this? Should it be totally new?

[Member Rya…]

I guess my use of the word "new" is pretty ambiguous here. I mean a calligrapher creates a new physical object, not arranging old pieces to make a new object. Even though I guess you could say that the calligraphers style doesn't have to be new. Hmmm, this is actually harder to explain than I thought it was. Somebody help me out here?